You're not taking in to account outflow from the headwaters that were surged. If the outlet for the lake to the Gulf is constricted then the bowls get the water. Sea level is relative at this point.
I see. The hurrican closed or consticted the drain. Interesting, except, that the pics don't show it, or the impact was very gradual. The odd thing, is that if this is so, why was the lake not much up 8 hours ago, and now will jump up another eight feet?